Hampton University welcomed over 100 students from the DMV region on Saturday for its inaugural Aviation & STEM Day. The free, family‑friendly event gave children ages eight to 18 a hands‑on look at careers in aviation, space exploration and broader STEM fields.
Local families get a glimpse of future careers
Parents attended alongside their children, hoping the experience would help steer their youngsters toward promising career paths. “I felt like this is a perfect time in his life to figure out what his interests are and what avenue he wants to take,” said Kristel Palmer, whose son is in eighth grade.
High‑school senior Gilecia Reed echoed the sentiment, noting that her son needed a “good push” to pursue his goals. “He needs a good push to get him where he needs to go,” Reed said.
Industry professionals share expertise
The day featured pilots, drone operators, air‑traffic controllers and other aviation professionals who spoke directly with the students. Participants tried flight simulators, watched live drone demonstrations and met representatives from NASA, major airlines and other aviation‑related organizations.
James Hayes, a member of the Chesapeake‑Virginia Beach Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi and one of the event organizers, said many attendees arrived unaware of the breadth of opportunities in the field. “We have students starting at the age of eight going all the way up to 18,” Hayes explained. “Some of these students have told me they didn’t know that the opportunities were there, and that’s what puts a smile on my face. It’s about them.”
Students discover personal connections to flight
Ninth‑grader Lucas Hamer, already a licensed recreational drone pilot, said the event reinforced his passion. “I have a recreational license and I fly drones, so I am very interested in some of these flying things and aviation,” Hamer said. He added that aviation represents more than a potential career, recalling the Wright brothers’ dream of flying like birds and the sense of freedom it inspires.
Organizers aim for lasting impact
The event was organized by the Chesapeake‑Virginia Beach Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi in partnership with Hampton University and the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees. Their goal, according to the organizers, is for students to leave with a broader understanding of aviation pathways and the confidence to pursue them.
By exposing young people to a variety of roles—from cockpit pilots to engineers, air‑traffic controllers and drone specialists—the day sought to broaden horizons and encourage future participation in high‑skill, high‑pay industries that support the nation’s economic vitality.
Community leaders praised the collaboration, noting that such initiatives strengthen the pipeline of talent needed for America’s aerospace sector while reinforcing the importance of STEM education in local schools.
Original reporting: WTKR News 3 (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
